Jackson – Customers of Pacific Gas & Electric were still awaiting repairs in at least 137 cities across Northern California early Thursday, with remote customers told to expect a wait, possibly a few days. Thursday morning, PG&E listed 3 outages in Amador. That included 2 outages in Jackson, each affecting between 1 and 50 customers, and 1 outage in Ione, off Highway 104, affecting between 1 and 50 customers. The reasons were not listed, but falling trees created multiple emergency calls during the storm Tuesday, for both blocked roads and crossed and broken power lines. PG&E’s website said that people who are without power for more than 48 hours can qualify for reimbursement payments. Sacramento reported 49 outages affecting less than 50 customers. In Stockton, there were 40 outages Thursday, with 16 of those each affecting between 1 and 50 customers each, located in 10 different sections of town, many caused by fallen wires. One Stockton neighborhood had 24 outages, each affecting between 50 and 500 customers. PG&E in a release Wednesday said the first major storm of the season left nearly 3 quarters of a million customers without. The company said crews “made significant progress in making repairs to the utility’s electrical system” and as of noon Wednesday had “restored power to 91% of the more than 700,000 customers impacted by power outages by the storm.” The utility said it “mobilized all available crews to restore power to the remaining 63,000 customers as quickly as safety allows.” The release said that “while PG&E expects to have power restored to the vast majority of those customers (Wednesday and Thursday), some customers in the hardest hit areas of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, Sierra Nevada foothills, and central coast should prepare to be without electricity for a few days.” PG&E’s Mark Johnson, vice president of electric operations and engineering said: “PG&E crews will remain mobilized as long as necessary to restore power to all customers.” He said: “Restoring power safely and quickly is our number one priority. We are working hard with all available resources, including contract crews, to limit the number of customers who experience extended outages.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - The Amador County Public Health Department is reporting an increased incidence of influenza like illness in the past week, according to a release on Thursday. An increase in activity has also been reported by Sutter Amador Hospital’s Emergency Department and local healthcare providers. Amador County Public Health Officer Dr. Bob Hartmann said his department is “considering these cases to be H1N1 influenza, based on information from the California Department of Public Health and their surveillance activity.” Amador County Unified School Districts are closely monitoring students and keeping records for absenteeism, which are reported daily to the public health department.While individuals reporting they have H1N1 are typically diagnosed based on symptoms of influenza like illness, there has been no laboratory testing performed. The release said the State Department of Public Health guidelines dictate that specific testing for H1N1 be reserved for “hospitalized patients and deaths due to influenza like illness.” “It…remains, for the majority of people, a mild illness similar to seasonal flu,” said Lori Jagoda, Public Health Nurse. Hartmann said the best prevention for H1N1 and seasonal flu remains vaccination, washing your hands frequently, covering your cough and your sneeze and staying at home if you are sick.” To stay up-to-date on current flu and H1N1 virus and vaccine information and recommendations, visit the Amador County Public Health website on your screen. For more information, contact them by phone at 223-6407. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - Gas prices are dropping across Northern California, according to AAA of Northern California’s latest price survey. This is against the trend, as the national average is heading in the opposite direction. Many other western states, including Arizona and New Mexico have seen similar declines. The survey found that California prices have slowly dropped to the current average of $3.01, 9 cents lower than last month. The national increase is in part due to rising crude oil prices and cutbacks in gasoline production by refineries, according to Linda Gorman, Public Affairs Director for AAA. AAA officials say western sates have not been impacted by these market forces as much as other areas of the country. Nationwide, the average rose almost 2 cents in the past week to $2.47. Here in Amador County, many gas stations are displaying prices that are lower than they’ve been in almost a year. Visitors to the Jackson Rancheria gas station on Thursday were pleased to see the cost of unleaded was $2.92 per gallon. The popular Safeway gas station in Martell featured a low of $2.84. And at Jon’s Pit Stop on Highway 88 in Jackson the pump price was only $2.79 per gallon. “I make sure to fill up every time I come to the casino, win or lose,” said Sherri Buckingham, a Calaveras County resident, adding: “The prices here are pretty good, all considered.” When compared to AAA data, the price for gas at Jon’s Pit Stop ties the lowest recorded cost in the state, also seen in Marysville. Yreka and Eureka are tied for highest, at $3.29, AAA reports. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson – A local business owner took the top prize in a giveaway at the grand opening for the new Kitchen Store last weekend, which also gathered more than a ton of food for charity. A $500 grand prize winner, came from all the way across Main Street. Jim Burgess won the $500 prize, after the spin of the TSPN wheel. Burgess works across the street at JB’s Awards & Engraving, 170, Main Street. Co-owners Janie Williams and her son Travis Williams gave the check to Burgess, who was accompanied by his girlfriend, Lori Thomas. Janie Williams said there was a great turnout, a lot of people came and some stayed all day for live music and wine tasting. The event also gathered a lot of food for charity. Part of the Grand Opening was a request for donations of food items for the Interfaith Food Bank. Williams was not exactly sure how much food was gathered, but at one point it was between 1-and-a-half and 2 tons, and they still have some more of the donations that need to be transported to the Food Bank. Other stores on Main Street, in welcoming the Kitchen Store, also collected food for the Food Bank, including Hein & Company Bookstore, Amador Fireside Center and JB's. George Erdosh, food author of “Alphabet Soup,” said the new Kitchen Store has lots of space between the isles, a food demonstration station and a selection of kitchen equipment that’s hard to believe” The store is family owned and family operated. The Kitchen Store moved to its new location, 165 Main Street, earlier this year. It is now the second store from the fire station on Main. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Martell - The Amador County Republican Central Committee (ACRCC) announced this week that Pacific Legal Foundation President David Stirling will be the special guest at their upcoming meeting on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. Stirling, described as “an expert on the history of the legal challenges to our personal and community property rights from environmental activists,” will discuss his new book, “Green Gone Wild: Elevating Nature Above Human Rights.” The book takes an in-depth look at government confiscatory regulation of private property in order to protect endangered plant and wildlife species. It examines the green movement and the affect it has had on many Americans. “Stirling's book is a crucial and long-overdue effort to shine a spotlight on this most burdensome of federal statutes, and the extreme green movement that propels it,” said Hugh Hewitt, national radio talk show host and Constitutional Law Professor. Walter Williams, Professor of Economics at George Mason University, said “Stirling's book makes a strong case that the federal government's confiscatory regulation of private property in the name of protecting so-called endangered plant and wildlife species is another step in trampling our Fifth Amendment guarantees.” Stirling will have copies of his book for sale at the event to sign for attendees. A donation of $5 to the ACRCC to support advertising and expenses would be appreciated at the door. The ACRCC thanks Rena Bartolero for facilitating Stirling’s visit. The presentation takes place on October 21 at 7 p.m. at the ACRCC Headquarters, located at 12275 Martell Road, Suite #11, in Martell. For more information on Stirling’s book, visit www.greengonewildbook.com. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Martell – The American Legion Hall will be abuzz this weekend with the Friends of the Amador County Library Used Book Sale, which runs Friday through Sunday this weekend. The sale will have thousands of books, in every category, and proceeds will benefit the libraries of Amador County. The 4-8 p.m. Friday sale is open only to members of the Friends of the Amador County Library, and open to new member sign-ups. The book sale is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion Hall, 12134 Airport Road in Martell, off Highway 49 at the Airport Road intersection. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Martell - Effective October 26, 2009 the Amador Air Pollution Control District Office will relocate to 12200 Airport Road in Martell. The telephone number will remain the same at 209-257-0112. The department said they appreciate your patience with any minor disruptions in phone service that may occur during the transition. For information or additional questions please contact Mike Boitano at 209-223-6481. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Oakland – Amidst fierce protest, the East Bay Municipal Utility District board on Tuesday approved the option of a new Pardee Dam in its 2040 water plan. The controversial decision came in the face of overwhelming opposition from over 50 elected officials, government agencies, political groups, NGOs, and conservation and fishing organizations. These include Congressman Dan Lungren, Assemblymember Alyson Huber, Former EBMUD Director and Oakland City Councilman Danny Wan, the Sierra Club and PG & E. A motion by Director Lesa Macintosh to remove the dam as an option deadlocked on a 3-3 vote. Board members subsequently voted 4-2 to include the four Pardee options, the smallest of which would avoid flooding any of the river above the Mokelumne. The largest would be the Pardee option, which would potentially damage the river’s ecosystem, destroy historical sites like the Middle Bar Bridge and flood sacred sites considered important to Native Americans. If chosen, the dam would supply EBMUD customers in the east bay with additional water supply. A series of dams on the Mokelumne River currently provide these customers with 90 percent of their water needs. Director John Coleman, considered the strongest dam proponent, pushed for the motion that retained all four options. Nevertheless, the impassioned public testimony heard from foothill residents at this and prior public workshops seemed to strike a chord with some board members. President Doug Linney said the Pardee expansion is “out of synch with the times we’re in now and where we will be in 20 to 30 years.” He went on to say “it will be an albatross around our neck, a symbol of everything the East Bay Municipal Utility District is not. Taking it off the table forces us to focus on other solutions.” The board also voted 6-0 to work with foothill interests to secure National Wild and Scenic designation for the Mokelumne River. Approximately 150 protestors showed up for the meeting at EBMUD’s Oakland headquarters, including a bus load from Amador County. Some east bay residents not affiliated with Amador County were reported to have climbed atop EBMUD’s sign out front. The plan is the latest in the long history of contentious battles over dam construction in northern California. Notable former sites of conflict include Hetch Hetchy Reservoir near Yosemite and the New Melones Dam across the Stanislaus River. Said Calaveras County Supervisor Steve Wilensky: “The EBMUD board showed callous disregard for the people of this region, and their promises for future collaboration ring hollow in light of their action yesterday. Their decision carries the seeds of their own demise, and history and the next election may prove that out.” Story by Alex Lane. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jackson - A pre-trial hearing on a defense motion for recusal was held Friday in the case of Kenneth John Zimmerman, accused of one count of murder after his neighbor John O’Sullivan was shot dead in a dispute in Fiddletown in August. Based on previous motions, Superior Court Judge David Richmond agreed to hear motions by both Public Defender Richard Cotta and O’Sullivan’s widow, Krista Clem, for a recusal of the Amador District Attorney’s office from the case. Cotta never openly stated his specific reasons for filing to have the department removed. Clem’s attorney, Belinda Harris-Ritter, insisted that Clem’s rights as a victim be asserted under Marsy’s Law, which guarantees victims and their significant others rights to safety, privacy and to participate in specific court proceedings against the accused. But Richmond said Marsy’s Law does not apply in this case and there is “no place for intervention by Clem concerning the prosecution in this case.” Richmond agreed with a judgment by the Attorney General’s Office that the motion on Clem’s behalf had no standing because “under the constitution, the victim (Clem) has remedies, not rights.” The Zimmerman trial isn’t the first time Clem and District Attorney Todd Riebe have met in the court room. Riebe was involved in prosecuting the late O’Sullivan on charges of horse abuse. Zimmerman was in a lively mood throughout the trial, frequently smiling and turning around to eye the room. After audibly remarking on the trial from the audience, a visibly upset Clem was asked by a bailiff to be quiet or leave, at which point she excused herself and left the courtroom. Richmond and all attorneys present agreed upon a court date to begin the evidentiary hearing. That date was set for Friday, November 6. It was also determined that Deputy District Attorney Stephen Hermanson will be the lead prosecutor in the case. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Plymouth – The Plymouth City Council selected a staff community development director on an interim basis last week, pending contract finalization, and discussion of the 2 finalists firms included possible future work. City Manager Dixon Flynn and staff sent requests for proposals to “19 known planning firms and individuals, and the city received 4 proposals. The city’s interview committees interviewed 3 of those firms and Flynn reported last week the findings, and the offers for work. Pacific Municipal Consultants of Davis bid on the work, offering to be the city’s planner for a $9,000 a month retainer, or $108,000 a year. Nolte Associates Incorporated of Sacramento bid to do the work on a $4,800 monthly retainer, or $57,500 a year. Barry Siebe bid on an individual basis for the position, offering to be a member of the city staff, at a cost of $100 per hour for 24 hours a week, and $110 an hour for 8 hours a week, totaling $14,213 a month, and $170,000 a year. The city council offered an interim, $51 an hour contract, which they signed with Siebe, for 32 hours a week for $5,000, to work through the end of the month. Flynn will work on a contract and bring it to the council October 22nd. Flynn and council members said PMC was the best candidate, but, as Vice Mayor Greg Baldwin said, they can’t afford the firm. Flynn said PMC’s proposal “identified 279 action items that should be a cost to the city to implement the newly adopted General Plan.” That included new policies; new studies or programs; and possible amendments to the General Plan or zoning, building or municipal code. Flynn said after discussing those, PMC was able to lower the number to 147 “fairly significant” items. Councilwoman Pat Fordyce, search committee member for the finalists, said “I wish we could afford the service you provide” and was “highly impressed” with PMC’s proposal. Phil Carter, president of PMC told the council they have “known Barry (Siebe)” and have “hired him as a planner. He’s my competition here and I can tell you he’s a good planner.” Carter said when the city requests proposals for those 147 action items, PMC “will be back. We want this job.” Mayor Jon Colburn, also a search committee member, said PMC was “strictly a planning firm” and really impressed him. He said “Plymouth is the third smallest city in the state now, and I appreciate that they shared their expertise with us.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.